birthday fun, cool cousins, and Easter shoes...OH MY!

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.” —Audrey Hepburn

“You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.” -Audrey Hepburn

April is off to a roaring start.

Birthday fun. I would expand on the fun but it is probably better that I don't. Haha.

Easter with family. The ten-year gap cousins. Love these boys. (By the way Nick totally kicked at the egg hunt!)

New shoes for some sisters. I call them our Easter shoes, but really they're not. My flip flops were from Troy for my birthday and De just buys shoes whenever she possibly can.

So, April is off to a good start. It is Spring break and I'm taking a few days to slow down before picking back up again.

In other (birthday) news: I follow a blog, hula seventy, have you heard of it? Do you read? I love it. Every year she makes a list of things to do before her next birthday. Last year I contemplated this, however never made a list. Right around the end of February I decided that I was going to do it. So, early March I started my list. It took me a few weeks. But now I have a list of 36 things to do before I turn 37. I haven't decided yet if I'll publish the whole list or not. I might. I might not. We'll see. I will, most likely, share as I complete or work on items. Some things are silly, some abstract, some concrete, however all are meaningful, to me.

So, hears to another year. I'm ready. So far 36 has been pretty nice to me.

Weekend fun. My parents are back from Europe, so a trip to their house was in order while Troy visited his parents and took in the gun show and the Renaissance Faire.

A bonus to going to visit my parents was seeing sweet Nicholas. He had a birthday this week - he just turned four. No longer our baby, he's grown into a little boy. I love this little guy...he is so sweet and makes me laugh.

WooHoo! Opening presents!

This may be my favorite picture. That look on his face...Probably wishing I would stop with the pictures already and help him and goofy auntie De open the boxes.

Summer fun on the slip 'n slide with his big cousin Archer.

I love seeing Archer and Nick together. They adore each other.
Ten years difference makes this cousin relationship fun and unique!

Good times!

"You spin me right round, baby
right round like a record, baby
right round round round."
-Dead or Alive

You may remember this girl. She makes it on the blog a lot. My best friend. My cousin. I adore her. We drink coffee, we eat cupcakes, we scrapbook our hearts out.

Well, I might not have mentioned that she makes her living as a personal sadist (as in extreme cruelty). Oh sorry. I mean she is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Much nicer titles than evil, evil, evil torturer which is what I'm calling her today.

See, she has taught "group fitness" classes for a LONG time and I have never taken one. I hear she is hard. Well, today I took my first class. It was a spin class. It was hard. Very hard.

Lorinda (the spin torturer), brother Alex, sister DeAnne, Me, cousin Rob, and Rob's girlfriend Tasha

Some of my family joined me for my first class - I need reinforcements! The picture isn't great...maybe next time! What? Did I say NEXT? Ya, I think I'll go back. I was able to walk up the stairs and out the door and drive my car home. That is good right? And people keep saying that it will get easier...

and Lorinda? I LOVE her. Forever. She's the best (even if she torturers people for a living - someone's got to do it!).

Hope your Monday was great!

this & that

“The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” — Barbara Kingsolver

A little bit of this and that from the past week (or so...):

Thanks to me my baby sister knows how to use jumper cables without blowing anything up. I know how to use them, but don't because I am scared.

I am also scared of the courthouse...weird. I get really anxious when I have to go there (and I do sometimes have to for my cemetery secretary job).

Troy gave me this lovely quilt set for my birthday. All matchy-matchy. Isn't it nice?
(thanks sweetie)

My friend and fellow blogger sent me the most delicious message the other day regarding rhubarb. She knows I love rhubarb and a huge - HUGE - thank you to Farmer Shelly @ this old farm. Thank you Thank you Thank you! We are loving it (and will love more if it you have anymore w/out a home - hehe).


I've begun running. Don't tell anyone. K? Thanks. We're keeping it on the down-low. I'm not fast and don't go far, but I do it and that is what's important right...to just DO it!?! My cousin, personal trainer (yes, HER, Lorinda) and my husband are getting me running. Very important - running shoes (these were my gift to me - saved and saved and were my healthy birthday present). I went to Fairhaven Runners and was properly fitted by a nice guy named Erik. Good shoes make a huge difference. HUGE.

Remember that sister I mentioned above? She adopted a pound puppy from the Humane Society. This sweetheart, Chloe. Chloe has joined DeAnne, Alex and Charli Ann in their home. She is a beautiful four-month-old Boxer-something mix. Full of life - so fun!
What else? I've been scrappin' away with cousin Lorinda, working away at school and the cemetery, basking in the lovely Spring weather that is turing to storm tonight, loving my family, enjoying my friends.

Happy May!

Halloween(s) Past...

Looking through my iPhoto I came across a few pics from Halloweens past. Enjoy.

My mom made this skunk costume. This is one of my favorites - I was a sassy skunk. I still have the pumpkin. It is sitting in the kitchen.

Archer was SpongeBob for YEARS. He loaned it to a friend this year - best $10 costume ever. This was when he accompanied Calob (super ninja) and Callie (beautiful princess) to their church carnival. (pic from Cheryl - thanks!)

Is this not the sweetest devil you ever did see? Oh he was adorable that year (2000 - age 5)!

Okay. This might be my favorite ever. Archer the little emperor and DeAnne the sweet kitty. (1996)

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween everyone!

oh brother

Is there anything like a brother? No. I think not. Well...maybe two brothers. That is what I have been blessed/cursed with...two brothers.

First there is this one. This is John. He is the oldest (notice the really gray hair!). Six years older than me, 19 years older than Alex, 22 years older than DeAnne. John had his first (and most-likely only) child three years ago - the sweet Nicholas that readers of this blog have grown to love! He graduated from Sehome High School (boo-hiss! haha), went into the Air Force, is currently retiring from the military and started working for Boeing doing...something...I am a bad sister...I never know/knew what he does/did. I know in the Air Force he did something with planes (good deduction on my part...). John lived away from us for a long, long time. He moved back (to Washingon) about four or so years ago. It has been fun to have him closer, share holidays and bbqs with him again.
And this one. This one is Alex. The baby brother, but not the baby. He was born when I was 13 - my first baby! He graduated from Bellingham High School (the same year I graduated from college) and has stayed local. He is a homebody. Alex is fun and sweet and is one who really enjoys life. You can usually find him at Cornwall Park playing Frisbee golf or hanging with his friends. He is usually pretty laid back, but can be really serious when he wants to be. Alex is a great uncle. He is Archer's hero, role model, buddy.
See? He is a happy boy. He really doesn't like my camera - gets irate when I whip it out! These covert shots are usually the best anyway.
Typical brother thing. He was spying on his little sister...reading her messages...waiting to get the crap beat out of him (you don't mess with the DeAnne)!

One of my favorite scenes. I love to see my big brother with his little boy, being a dad. It is something I never thought I would see. John was always a meanie big brother (he laughs and loves his meanie stories), but he has become a wonderful, loving dad to his little boy...So...it's all good.

Oh the joy of brothers. With brothers you get it all. The good. The bad. The ugly. The fun. And at the end of the day I love my brothers - unconditionally!

She...

is the one who had her jaws reconstructed. The lower jaw moved back the upper straightened (for medical reasons, not cosmetic - some were wondering). Yikes. What an ordeal. We have been taking pictures through out the recovery time, however being the super nice sister that I am I am not putting the early ones on this here blog for the world to see. She has made the decision to share the pictures with friends on mySpace, I just don't think that posting here is a decision I can make (if I value my life!).

Here she is almost three weeks post surgery. Still a tad swollen, still can't feel the right half of her face, her left jaw by her ear hurts all the time, her mouth is banded shut at all times unless she is eating, and she isn't suppose to drive or engage in other active activities, but otherwise all is good. She can eat soft food and even some crunchy stuff if it is cut up so small it doesn't crunch. When the food thing starts to make her mad she mumbles "This is bulls$%t!" and then moves on.
Anyway...here she is. She is doing well. Thanks for all your concern, prayers, well-wishes.

It has been one week since my last post. Hmmm...Sounds like a confession. What is my penance? Anyway...I do not like the excuse "busy." When someone says "I'm too busy" or "I was too busy" I think it is a cop out. Just say "other things were more important" or "I don't want to." I think "busy" is a term people use to make an excuse when they don't want to give a real reason...a good reason. Believe me, I know what busy is. However, everything I do is a choice and sometimes my choices are based on how busy I am, but my excuse isn't busyness - no my excuse is choices. Anyway...this is deep-rooted in me, this pet peeve about busy being an excuse. Let's move on...

So, I am going to say that I had other things occupying my time. Not even important things. Really. I spent A LOT of time on the computer - doing nothing. Reading blogs, hanging on Facebook, playing games. I read. I hung out with family and friends. I actually wasn't busy. Just enjoying a bit of R&R.

Now here I am. A week out and feeling a bit off. No sure where to start.

How about with my parents. They have moved. To Marysville. It is a little over an hour drive from our house - a big difference from 15 -20 minutes. Alex, DeAnne, Archer and I went down to visit and see their new home for the first time. It is smaller than the house they left in Bellingham, where Alex and DeAnne will continue to live. However, it is cute and I think the perfect size (I am not a big house person).

Happy new home owners. (If you enlarge the photo you may be able to see the "ghosts" in the door.)

Mom & Dad @ the new house.

Alex evidently thought I was the paparazzi.

Cuddling at Grandma & Grandpa's house.

Cuddlin'

I find it interesting when people move to see their "old" stuff in a new surrounding. My parent's *stuff* is all from their house (which leaves Alex & De w/ little, but they are young they don't need much) and it looks completely different. When I go down this weekend I will try to take some pictures and find some of the old house. Just a little interesting thought.

Coming this week: DeAnne (a before and after pictorial), first day of school excitement (or second or third day...we'll see), Lynde 500 (early next week) and a little bit more of {this and that}.

sunny Sunday!

Good afternoon on this sunny Sunday. It looks like it is going to be another scorcher.

What a week this has been. I have been here (here being my sister’s house, not my house) for most of the past week. In fact I have spent the past two nights here while the rest of the family is in Eastern Washington (talk about HOT)...mom & dad at a family shin-dig in Moses Lake and Alex at the Tom Petty concert (lucky boy!).

I did do a stint at the fair, a four-hour shift for the CHIPS (Child ID) booth on Friday night. I went two hours early and saw the photos, quilts, art, collections, 4-H Science and of course animals. We had to see Max’s Petunia - she (and Max) is a champion after all and I would have hated not to see her. Yay Max & Petunia! I ate very little fair food - just an Elephant Ear and shared a lemonade with Troy. No fair detox for me this year (but I will be thinking of Tami and all the others as they make their way through this next week...)!

But most of the week I have been with my sister - fetching medicine, getting food (or something resembling food), watching t.v. and movies, hanging out. I am very impressed - she is an excellent patient - in good spirits (most of the time), not demanding, requires very little actually. My guys have been very supportive this past week understanding my need to help my sister. Archer doesn’t really like having his parents gone yet he has complained very little and is happy that someone is helping out his fabulous aunt (he adores her...he really, really does!). I think I can get him to come with me tomorrow - he had a hard time seeing her post surgery - he didn’t like thinking she was in pain...Anyway, she looks much better - is up and around, talking, eating soft food. I think he can handle it. Once again thank you ALL for your well wishes - she is off on an amazing recovery!

Last night we watched Into the Wild. We both enjoyed the movie found it very interesting, especially knowing it was a true story. I think it was a testament to our real need for human relationships. What a brave young man. Have you seen this? Have you read the book? I am compelled to get the book now to get even more information. If you have read the book please let me know what you thought of it. (p.s. I got the movie at our public library. I had to wait a bit, but what a wonderful resource for those movies that you don’t need right now!)

That is it for now. I have pictures from the fair on my camera but not enough will to do all that is necessary on an unfamiliar computer to post them...so you just get my words.

Have a great day!

Thank you

Thank you all for your well wishes for my sister. DeAnne made it through her surgery with flying colors. She is one strong girl. After spending a big portion of the day at the hospital we finally got to see her. She looked...well...she looked swollen. But, all in all she was in good spirits. She talked a bit, she drank some juice from a straw (once someone helped the straw into her mouth), even laughed a little. She should be able to go home tomorrow. Yay! No pictures until she approves some. My brother did take one, but I am thinking exposure to the whole world may not be what she had in mind.

Anyway, thank you for your prayers and well wishes. We all appreciate it very much!

She...

is having surgery tomorrow. Mandible reconstruction surgery to be precise. A 5-hour surgery.I have to say that I am a bit freaked out. So, we (I) would love it if you kept her in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow.

weekend recap

Where shall I start? Maybe with a weekend breakdown...

Friday Archer and I began our summer vacation. Quick trip to town, lunch, a new video game (really...what else is there to do in the summer? whatever).
Saturday was DeAnne's graduation party.
Sunday lunch with Troy and a BBQ at my cousin Lorinda's.

Okay. So those are the facts. What really happened?

What about the lessons I learned this weekend? That may be much more fun for you.
Lesson 1 - I am not in the 18 - 22 year old range anymore. Interpret that how you will.
Lesson 2 - umm....Okay. I think one lesson is enough. If you think you want details you may want to think again.
Oh yea - maybe lesson 2 should be make sure battery in camera is charged prior to party...

I got a few shots over the weekend (before the dead battery).

*The Graduate* All decked out like a movie star. Those are some rockin' pants and sunglasses!

Alex who looks like he walked out of Top Gun (which he has never even seen...). Where does one find sunglasses like that? I have to admit he pulls them off pretty well.

One of my favorite things is seeing my big brother with his son. I never thought I would see the day. He is truly a great father and Nick is a wonderful little boy! We bought Nick some "big" books and he spent much time reading...Lovely.

Cousins. I am so grateful that Lorinda's boys are such great friends to Archer. It is precious to have friends that are family. (Caleb, Dawson, Archer)

My cousin Kelly, who wasn't able to join us, sent his kids up for the day with his sister. I haven't seen Kelly in years, however I usually get to see the kids a few times a year. This is Skylar and Alexis. Darling girls.

Kelly's son Ty who is just days older than Nick. Ty is a hard one to get a picture of. I have quite a few of him running away from me. As soon as I would hold up the camera away he would run!

One last one of the graduate. Sweet, smiley girl (don't let the cute fool you! haha)!

Happy Monday. First Monday of summer vacation! Yay!

a little bit of pomp and circumstance

"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - unknown

Well. She did it. My little sister, the youngest of four (with a 22 year age span) walked the stage and received her high school diploma from Bellingham High School. I want to say this has been a long time coming, however it really hasn't. It was the same amount of time that most others wait. Thirteen years of public school and two years of pre-K. She must be a well-educated girl.

"I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells." Dr. Seuss

I like graduations. I like the speeches (when they are funny and filled with wisdom...not just long and preachy). I like the caps and gowns and fresh faces ready to face the world. It is a day that just feels good - parents are happy, students are off for new adventures (teachers are getting a little vaca...oh...ya).

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Gandhi

A BHS graduation feels especially good. I wasn't a big "high school fan." I didn't participate in a lot of activities, wasn't overly involved, however I do have good memories (they get better the longer I've been out). A BHS graduation feels like going home. The principal was a teacher when I was there, some of the other teachers are the same. The school fight song is familiar and the red and white colors bring back good memories.

There comes a moment when you realize that virtually anything is possible - that nothing is too good to be true." Kobi Yamada

BHS is a legacy in our family. We had quite a few alumni (from our family) in attendance last night. The proud parents. Wheeewwww...Four down - zero to go! (Dad - BHS alum)

"Go boldly in the direction of your dreams." Henry David Thoreau

BHS siblings! Class of 1992, Class 2008, Class of 2005.

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." Dr. Seuss

With her Godparents - Bob & Kelly (BHS alum)

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't ---you are right." Henry Ford

With Auntie Berta...

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on earth." Mark Twain

All dressed up. Red & White Roses from mom and dad. Notice the pretty belt we made with ribbon!

"Be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi

And my last quote for today. I love this one. Enjoy.

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the
status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." Jack Kerouac

And DeAnne? Congratulations. I am so happy for you, proud of you. I love being your sister!
Happy Graduation!

here she is!

DeAnne graduated last night! Great fun!

Congratulations De!

(more photos to come later...)

***Click on the photo to go to my Flickr album w/ ALL her graduation pictures.

The last of the wedding flashbacks

A glance a smile became friendship grew into Love.

Here it is. The last of the wedding flashbacks...Today Troy and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. When we met 14 years ago we had a very quick connection. We became instant friends and less than a year later - married! There is so much I could say about Troy, about being married, but I'm not going to. Anyone who knows us must know how much I love my husband (or why would I still be here really? haha). We have a wonderful son, we are independent of one another, yet very much intertwined. We have a good life. I love you sweetie.

The Bride & Groom. Not my favorite picture, but the one I could get to easily! The groom.

The bride

The wedding party. Carrie, DeAnne, Joel, Jerrie, Troy, Sharon, Alex, John.

One of my favorite pictures from my wedding day. Me & my incredible siblings. My brothers John & Alex, and my little sister DeAnne. Lovely.